EPPO Bulletin (2007) 37, 125-128
S. Boukhris-Bouhachem, M. Hullé, J. Rouzé-Jouan, L. Glais and C. Kerlan (2007)
Solanum elaeagnifolium, a potential source of Potato virus Y (PVY) propagation
EPPO Bulletin 37 (1), 125-128
Abstract: In the context of an epidemiological study on Potato virus Y (PVY) in potato crops, Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. was included in the weeds prospected. Surveys were carried out in four seed potato areas: Cap Bon, Manouba, Jendouba and Kairouan. S. elaeagnifolium was found in all areas, except Cap Bon. Virus-like symptoms were observed on some S. elaeagnifolium plants in the field, i.e. leaf mottling and curling. Aphids were collected on these plants and were identified as Myzus persicae and Aphis fabae, both known to colonize potatoes and to transmit the standard PVYN isolate with transmission efficiencies of 95% and 43%, respectively. Forty-seven plant samples were tested with ELISA for the presence of PVY. Positive reactions were obtained from 2/6, 5/18, 8/23 samples collected in Manouba, Jendouba and Kairouan, respectively. Virus transmission was carried out using M. persicae as vector from two samples of each region onto plantlets of Nicotiana tabacum cv Xanthi. All inoculated plantlets displayed typical symptoms of the PVYN strain group, confirmed by serological testing using specific antibodies. This is the first report of a PVY natural infection on S. elaeagnifolium in Tunisia. The abundance of this weed, its over-wintering status and the high rate of PVY-infected plants (31.9%) allow us to deduce that S. elaeagnifolium must be considered a reservoir species of PVY under natural conditions in Tunisia and probably in other Mediterranean countries. The presence of efficient aphid vectors of PVY on this weed in crops is additional evidence that S. elaeagnifolium may become a problem by acting as a source plant for PVY spread in potato crops.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Sonia Boukhris-Bouhachem, Maurice Hulle
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
environment - cropping system/rotation
Pest and/or beneficial records:
| Beneficial | Pest/Disease/Weed | Crop/Product | Country | Quarant.
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Myzus persicae | Potato (Solanum tuberosum) | Tunisia | ||
| Aphis fabae | Potato (Solanum tuberosum) | Tunisia | ||
| Potato virus Y | Potato (Solanum tuberosum) | Tunisia | ||
| Solanum elaeagnifolium (weed) | Tunisia |
